The former Boulder marine who staged his disappearance three years ago will be spared a felony conviction as long as he stays out of trouble for the next 18 months.

Lance Hering, 24, appeared in Boulder District Court Monday and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of false reporting in connection with a rock climbing accident he faked in Eldorado Canyon State Park in August 2006 to avoid returning to the military. A trial in the case had been set to begin next week.

In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to extended a deferred sentence on a felony attempted burglary case in which Hering was involved in 2004 by another 18 months. Hering was serving a two-year deferred sentence in that Boulder burglary case when he faked his disappearance. Without the extension, Monday's misdemeanor guilty plea would void the deferred sentence on the felony charge.

If Hering abides by the terms of his sentence -- which includes performing 200 hours of community service and attending regular therapy sessions to treat the effects of the stress and trauma he incurred while serving in Iraq -- he will not have a felony conviction placed on his record.

Hering was punished separately by the Marines for desertion. He was put in the brig for 33 days at Camp Pendleton in California and discharged.

Hering's disappearance triggered the largest search effort in Boulder County history. It covered more than 400 acres and demanded 10,000 man-hours from volunteers and emergency personnel. It cost the Sheriff's Office more than $33,000.

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His family has since paid that amount back to the county -- plus an additional several thousand dollars spent by the county to extradite Hering back to Colorado after he was caught last November in Port Angeles, Wash. trying to board a plane piloted by his father.

Prosecutor David Cheval said the defendant's military service was a mitigating factor in the case and made it easier for his office to extend an offer to Hering that was not extended to his friend and accomplice in both cases, Steve Powers.

"He did serve in Iraq, he was in intense combat and there are some specific mental health issues he continues to deal with," Cheval said of Hering.

Powers, 23, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor false reporting in January 2007 and was sentenced to two years of probation. Because of his misdemeanor guilty plea, his deferred sentence on the attempted burglary case was revoked and he is now a convicted felon.

Hering's attorney, Alex Garlin, said his client's military service in Iraq undoubtedly played a significant role in the prosecution's decision to give him a second chance to avoid a felony conviction.

"It's a clear indication that individuals returning from the Iraq war may need to be served by the justice system in a different way," Garlin said.

Boulder County Judge David Archuleta told Hering:"I was impressed by the level of scrutiny that you received, how well you're doing at this point in response to that."

But he warned Hering that he could face a prison sentence of one to three years and a fine up to $100,000 if he violates the conditions of his probation.

Hering, who came to court casually dressed in a gray t-shirt and black pants, explained to the judge that he has already tried to do community service by volunteering at an elementary school. He said the school asked him to leave when it found out he was facing a possible felony conviction.

He declined to comment after the hearing.

His father, Lloyd Hering, said he was glad a resolution had been reached in his son's case.

"We're really happy that Lance is with us and is healthy and is ready to move forward in a constructive way," he said.